Integration monitor is a daily Latvian press digest on ethnic minority and society integration issues. The Monitor reviews the biggest Latvian dailies: Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga (in Latvian language), Vesti Segodnya (in Russian language). In specific cases other information sources are used. Latvian Centre for Human Rights is not responsible for information published by the media.

Integration and Minority Information Service

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

Diena

interviews one of leaders of FF/LNNK Guntars Krasts. Guntars Krasts reassures that national issues, namely the status of the state language and Latvian identity, are and will remain key issues for his party, although the slogan of the previous elections Dont give up, Latvian! is replaced with The State will serve people. Guntars Krasts states that social integration issues have never been explosive issues in the Latvian domestic policy, but are being maintained as such in the foreign policy of Latvia. interviews one of leaders of FF/LNNK Guntars Krasts. Guntars Krasts reassures that national issues, namely the status of the state language and Latvian identity, are and will remain key issues for his party, although the slogan of the previous elections “Don’t give up, Latvian!” is replaced with “The State will serve people.” Guntars Krasts states that social integration issues have never been “explosive issues” in the Latvian domestic policy, but are being maintained as such in the foreign policy of Latvia.

Vechernaya Riga talks

to FHRUL MP Boris Tsilevich about his stance towards the switch of minority secondary schools to instruction in Latvian in 2004. Boris Tsilevich is against the forced switch and calls on Latvians to listen to the true wishes of non-Latvian residents. He criticizes national minority schools in Latvia as Latvian officials understand that a national minority school is where the majority of subjects are taught in Latvian, while classes connected to the culture and language of the national minority are held additionally. Boris Tsilevich advocates multi-cultural education. to FHRUL MP Boris Tsilevich about his stance towards the switch of minority secondary schools to instruction in Latvian in 2004. Boris Tsilevich is against the forced switch and calls on Latvians to listen to the true wishes of non-Latvian residents. He criticizes “national minority schools” in Latvia as Latvian officials understand that “a national minority school” is where the majority of subjects are taught in Latvian, while classes connected to the culture and language of the national minority are held additionally. Boris Tsilevich advocates multi-cultural education.

Vesti Segodnya

comments on the open letter of FHRUL to chairperson of the Central Electorate Commission Arnis Cimdars. In the letter FHRUL asked Cimdars to print informative materials about the 8th Saeima elections not only in Latvian, but also in Russian. The newspaper states that most probably Arnis Cimdars will refuse to issue these materials in Russian as he already noted that the Latvian authorities have to distribute information in the state language. comments on the open letter of FHRUL to chairperson of the Central Electorate Commission Arnis Cimdars. In the letter FHRUL asked Cimdars to print informative materials about the 8th Saeima elections not only in Latvian, but also in Russian. The newspaper states that most probably Arnis Cimdars will refuse to issue these materials in Russian as he already noted that “the Latvian authorities have to distribute information in the state language.” September witnessed another slight decrease in the popularity rating of the leading party – New Era. Now New Era is just a little bit ahead (15.4%) of the People’s Party (14.1%), followed by FHRUL (12.7%), FF/LNNK (7.2%), the Union of the Green Party and the Farmers’ Union (7%) and Latvia’s Way (5.5%).

September witnessed another slight decrease in the popularity rating of the leading party – New Era. Now New Era is just a little bit ahead (15.4%) of the Peoples Party (14.1%), followed by FHRUL (12.7%), FF/LNNK (7.2%), the Union of the Green Party and the Farmers Union (7%) and Latvias Way (5.5%). Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii

Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, who had already been issued a Latvian entry visa, will not visit Riga on Friday and Saturday after all. Luzhkov’s visit has been postponed due to the Saeima elections.

Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, who had already been issued a Latvian entry visa, will not visit Riga on Friday and Saturday after all. Luzhkovs visit has been postponed due to the Saeima elections. Diena, Telegraf, Chas, Neatkariga.

Leader of the extreme right fringe Latvian Party Aivars Garda and his headed publishing house “Vieda” announced the third essay contest with the following themes: “Which Latvian politicians when refusing to de-occupy Latvia have betrayed the Latvian people and the state? Have Latvian MPs, ministers and state leaders betrayed and mocked Latvian pensioners, repressed persons, teachers and children by paying pensions to occupants?”

Leader of the extreme right fringe Latvian Party Aivars Garda and his headed publishing house Vieda announced the third essay contest with the following themes: Which Latvian politicians when refusing to de-occupy Latvia have betrayed the Latvian people and the state? Have Latvian MPs, ministers and state leaders betrayed and mocked Latvian pensioners, repressed persons, teachers and children by paying pensions to occupants? Vesti Segodnya